Dispensing apparatus with invertible feed duct



Feb. 11, 1969 w. D. CHAMLEE 3,426,946

DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH INVERTIBLE FEED DUCT Filed July 13, 1966 Sheet Qf13 INVENTOR WILL/AM a. cums:

W KM,

ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 11, 1969 w. D. CHAMLEE 3,426,946

DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH INVERTIBLE FEED DUCT Filed July 13, 1966 Sheet 2 of 5 l/VVE/VTO/P W/LL/AM Q CHAMLEE Sum fM ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 11, 1969 w. D. CHAMLEE DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH INVERTIBLE FEED DUCT Sheet Filed July 13, 1966 llVVE/VTOR W/LL/AM D. CHAML EE ATTORNEYS.

3,426,946 DISPENSING APPARATUS WITH INVERTIBLE FEED DUCT William D. Chamlee, Texarkana, Arln, assignor to Day &

Zimmermann, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Maryland Filed July 13, 1966, Ser. No. 564,997

US. Cl. 222-606 Claims Int. Cl. G01f 11/24, /00; F42b 33/02 ABSTRAQT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispenser which utilizes a series of intersecting ducts including means for inverting at least one duct which has a predetermined amount of powder contained therein. By utilizing a series of intersecting ducts there is no sliding or rotating surface-to-surface contact at locations wherein initiating explosive would be present.

This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing relatively free-flowing powders in predetermined quantities. The present invention is specifically adapted to dispense free-flowing explosive powders by volumetrically weighing the powder and delivering it to a mechanism for loading the powder into detonator cups or the like.

The present invention is a new and unobvious dispensing apparatus which can be used for automatic or semi automatic volumetric weighing of free-flowing explosive powders and loading them into detonators. There are several basic requirements for mechanisms that are to handle relatively free-flowing explosive powders. Among them is the requirement that the mechanism should be able to handle all relativey free-flowing powders without a requirement for stringent control of particle sizing or dispersion. The mechanism must be capable of operation with the minimum possibility of explosion, should be capable of both automatic and semiautomatic operation, and must volumetrically weigh the powders being dispensed within acceptable tolerances and dispense them into detonator cups. In addition, it is desirable that such a dispensing mechanism be comparatively simple in design and capable of construction at relatively low cost.

The present invention meets each of the foregoing requirements and capabilities in a new and unobvious manner. For example, to reduce the possibility of explosion, the apparatus is designed so that there is no sliding or rotating surface-to-surface contact at locations where initiating explosive would be present. Elimination of these friction areas also has the advantage that delay compositions are not worked into a gummy state to thereby cause clogging and other diificulties in the loading operation. The present invention accomplishes the foregoing requirement by providing a series of intersecting ducts and means for inverting at least one of said ducts to dispense a quantity of powder therefrom. The invertible duct is closed at one end with a means to adjust the effective volume thereof and the powder is fed into the duct from the remaining ducts. The duct arrangement permits a direct free flow slowly and without gates, valves or deflectors into a measuring cavity or invertible duct. By revolving the duct 180 or inverting it, predetermined quantities of powder are allowed to sequentially flow therefrom into the part being loaded.

It therefore is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and unobvious dispensing apparatus for free-flowing powders.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unobvious dispensing apparatus for dispensing quantities of powder, particularly free flowing explosive powder, within acceptable tolerances.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unobvious dispensing apparatus for sequentially dispensing predetermined quantities of powder without the use of gates, valves, deflectors or moving surfaces in contact with the powder being dispensed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and unobvious dispensing apparatus for sequentially dispensing predetermined quantities of powder and having means for remotely adjusting the quantity of powder to be dispensed.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the dispensing apparatus illustrating the head in its upright or fill position.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the dispensing apparatus similar to that shown in FIGURE 1 except the head has been inverted to its dispensing position.

FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, illustrating the volume adjustment apparatus.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing head taken along the line 44 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the dispensing head illustrated in FIGURE 4 taken along the line 55.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing head illustrated in FIGURE 4 taken along the line 66, illustrating a closure for the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG- URES l and 2, a dispensing apparatus designated generally as 10.

The apparatus 10 is supported on a bracket 12 mounted on the upper wall of a detonator-loading machine 14 or a similar powder handling machine. The apparatus 10, which is normally enclosed in a steel barricade of conventional design (not shown) is positioned to dispense predetermined quantities of free-flowing explosive powders into the funnel 1 6. The funnel 16 extends through the wall 14 for delivering the dispensed powder into the detonator-loading machine and is supported by a collar 18 and set screw 19 mounted on the base plate 20. A portion of the funnel 16 is cut away so that it can be brought as close as possible to the apparatus 10 without interfering with the movement thereof.

A hopper 22 is mounted on the upper end of bracket 12 with its delivery end in open communication with the flexible tubing 24. Tubing 24 is fitted over the delivery end of hopper 22 and held in place by a hose clamp 26. As best shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, the tubing 24 connected to a coupling 28 and held in place by the hose clamp 30. In an operative embodiment, the tubing 28 may be made of a clear flexible plastic such as Tygon tubing.

A pneumatic vibrator 32 is supported on the bracket 12 in a manner whereb the output thereof will vibrate the entire apparatus 10. The vibrator motor may be any conventional motor of this type, such as the Vibrolater model No. 10. The purpose of the vibrator motor will be made clear in the description of the operation of the apparatus 10 given below.

The bracket 12 further supports a pneumatic motor 34 which rotates its output shaft 36 and then returns it to the initial position. Pneumatic motor 34 is preferably of the air driven type and is connected to a supply of pressurized air through the tubing 38. Pneumatic motor 34 may be of the type known as the Rotac model S.- 125IV, manufactured by the Ex-Cello Corporation. Of course, other types of motors having similar output functions may be used.

The output shaft 36 of motor 34 is coupled to the dispensing head support bracket 40 which is a U-shaped member having one leg 42 connected to shaft 36 and the opposite leg 44 clamped to coupling 28. Referring to FIG- URE 5, the leg 44 is shown split into two halves 44a and 44b held in clamping relation with coupling 28 by a pair of socket head screws 46 and 48.

As best shown in FIGURE 5, the coupling 28 is manufactured with an integral flange 50 extending laterally therefrom. The dispensing head 52 is supported on the coupling 28 by a pair of screws 54 and 56 extending through bored openings in the flange 50 and threadedly engaging the head 52. Coupling 28 includes a nose portion 58 which is co-extensive with a bore in dispensing head 52 when the flange 50 is held flush against the head mounting surface. The coupling 28 is provided with a longitudinal bore 60 which extends therethrough and is in open communication with the tubing 24. Hereinafter, the bore 60 may be referred to as the dispensing head feed duct. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of feed duct 60 is concentric with the axis of rotation of shaft 36. Thus, the coupling 28 and dispensing head 52 will rotate about the longitudinal axis of duct 60 when driven by motor 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dispensing head 52 is made from a block of Plexiglas which has been cut and bored in accordance with the following description. A bore 62 opens onto and extends from a front side wall 64 through one of the end Walls 66 of the dispensing head 52. Hereinafter, the bore 62 will be referred to as a dispensing duct. The side wall 64 is cut away at the point where dispensing duct 62 opens thereon to define the shoulder 68. As is best illustrated in FIGURE 2, this permits the powder to be dispensed from duct 62 without interference by the side wall 64. The nose 58 of coupling 28 is provided with a laterally extending bore 70 which openly communicates with feed duct 60 at a point adjacent the end thereof. Bore 70 is aligned with and in open communication with a bore 72 which openly communicates with dispensing duct 62 at a point intermediate the ends thereof. Hereinafter, the bores 70 and 72 will be referred to as a delivery duct 74. Still another duct 76 is formed in the dispensing head 52 to provide open communication between the end wall 78 and a recess 80 in the nOse portion 58 of coupling 28. Recess 80 provides direct communication between the duct 76 and feed duct 60. The end of duct 76 is closed by a conical stopper 82 mounted on the door 84. The door 84 is rotatably mounted to a hinged bracket 86 by the hinge pin 88. Bracket 86 is mounted b the screws 90 and 92 to the wall 78 of dispensing head 52. A hook 94 is mounted on and extends from the door 84. Door 84 holds stopper 82 in a sealing disposition across duct 76 by means of a spring 96 which has its ends fixed to the dispensing head 52 and door 84.

The end of .dispensing duct 62 adjacent wall 66 is enlarged and threaded to receive therein the threaded rod 98. Rod 98 supports at the end thereof a stem 100 which is equal in diameter to the diameter of duct 62. Stem 100 serves to close the end of duct 62. Moreover, the amount by which the stem 100 extends into the duct 62 can be adjusted by threading the rod inwardly or outwardly.

The rod 98 extends through an opening in wear plate 110 which overlies end Wall 66 and is fixed to the control support 112. Control support 112, in turn, is mounted on the leg 44 of support 40. A ratchet wheel 114 is rotatably fixed to the end of threaded rod 98 by a pin 116 which extends therethrough. A steel spring 118 overlies the end of rod 98 and ratchet 114 and biases the same toward wear plate 110. The opposite end of spring 118 is fixed to a clamp 120 which retains a pair of air cylinders 122 and 124 on the control support 112.

Tubing 126 and 128 extends from air cylinders 122 and 124 to a supply of compressed air. Pistons within the cylinders 122 and 124 are connected to pawl mechanisms 130 and 132 respectively. Resilient means are provided in the air cylinders 122 and 124 for normally biasing the pawl mechanisms 130 and 132 to the position shown in FIGURE 3. Each of the pawl mechanisms 130 and 132 includes adapters 134 and 136 which are mounted on connecting rods 138 and 140 extending from the air cylinder pistons. The adapters 134 and 136 are provided with flattened extensions upon which ride the pawls 146 and 148. As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the pawls 146 and 148 are U-shaped members with the bight portion of the U defining the ratchet engaging portion of the pawl and the legs extending on both sides of the flattened adapter extensions 142 and 144. The width between the legs of each pawl is approximately equal to the thickness of the adapter extensions 142 and 144, but is not so close as to prevent free sliding engagement between the pawls and the extensions. Pawls 146 and 148 are retained on the extensions 142 and 144 by springs 150 and 152 which bias the pawls against the shoulders defined by the extensions 142 and 144 and their respective adapters 134 and 136.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that reciprocation of the pawl 146 in a forward direction will cause it to engage the ratchet wheel 144 and rotate it in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3. Upon the return of the pawl mechanism 130 to its initial position, the pawl 146 will override the bias of its retaining spring 150 and slide over the cogs of the ratchet wheel 1114. Similarly, forward reciprocation of the pawl 148 results in counter-clockwise rotation of ratchet wheel 11 4. Upon return of the mechanism 136, the pawl 148 will overcome the bias of the spring 152 and slide over the cogs of the ratchet wheel 114 without rotating the same. Thus, the pawls 146 or'148 rotate the ratchet wheel 114 and hence the rod 98. This in turn inserts or withdraws the stem 100 from dispensing duct 62, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between the end of the stern 100 and the junction of dispensing duct 62 and delivery duct 74. For reasons to be explained below, this will increase or decrease the quality of powdered material dispensed by the apparatus 10.

The dispensing apparatus 10 operates in the following manner:

To begin operation, the dispensing head 52 is positioned in its normal disposition shown in FIGURE 1. The hopper 22 is then filled with the prescribed amount of explosive powder, utilizing one of the approved standard devices designed for remotely charging such devices. The powder flows from the hopper 22 through the tubing 24 into the feed duct 60. In the embodiment shown, flow of the powdered material is by gravity since the tube 24 and feed duct 60 are at an angle with respect to the horizontal. Explosive powder also flows through the delivery duct 74 into the dispensing duct 62 until it fills the duct 62 to a height approximately equal to the distance between the end of stem 100 and the apex 154 defined by the junction of ducts 62 and 72. If the apparatus 10 is to be automatically operated, a valve mechanism, such as a pneumatic valve, is energized when a loading machine 14, such as a consolidation loader, places the part to be loaded beneath the funnel 16. The pneumatic valve permits compressed air to be supplied to the pneumatic motor 34 which rotates the head 52 The result, as shown in FIGURE 2, is the inversion of the dispensing duct 62, thereby permitting the explosive powder delivered therein by the delivery duct 74 to flow into the funnel 16. Delivery duct 74, which in its initial position, was at an angle with respect to the horizontal and at an angle with respect to duct 62, is also inverted so that it now extends upwardly from feed duct 60. Accordingly, material contained within delivery duct 74 will not flow out through dispensing duct 62. The amount dispensed through duct 62 equals only that quantity of material which lies between the end of stem 100 and the apex 154.

When the actuating pneumatic valve is released, the pneumatic motor 34 reverses and returns the dispensing head to the initial position illustrated in FIGURE 1. Material again flows through feed duct 60 through duct 74 into dispensing duct 62. Of course the pneumatic actuating valve for motor 34 may be manually operated as well as automatically. If the volume of material delivered through the funnel 16 is not correct, pneumatic valves connected to the tubes 126 and 128 may be actuated to adjust the amount by which the stem 100 extends into dispensing duct 62. This will vary the volume of material delivered by duct 74 and therefore the amount of material dispensed. Each actuation of either of the pawls 146 or 148 causes the ratchet wheel 114 to rotate approximately 30. The machine 14 may include means for automatically sensinga variationhetweenthe amount of explosive powder dispensed and the amount required and signal the adjustment of the position of stem 100 by actuating either of cylinders 122 and 124. Again, the adjustment of the dispensing capacity of the apparatus may be ac complished by manually actuating pneumatic valves to control the operation of cylinders 122 and 124.

To empty powder from the hopper 22 and the ducts 60 and 74, the dispensing head 52 is rotated by the pneumatic motor 34 to the discharge position illustrated in FIGURE 2. This is normally accomplished by manually controlling a pneumatic valve to operate the motor 34. A powder catch box, which is a standard design for this type of operation, is positioned under the duct 76. The closure door 84 is then opened by engaging hook 94 with a remotely controlled mechanical device and the explosive powder discharges into the catch box. To facilitate complete emptying of the apparatus 10, the pneumatic vibrator motor 32 is energized, thereby shaking any loose remains of the powder from the apparatus 101 The apparatus is useful for volumetric weighing of the delay composition, R.D.X. and lead azide charges in the production of delay detonators, detonators, relays and the like. The volumetric charges can be repeatedly dispensed with accuracy well within the allowable specified tolerances by weight. As pointed out above, the present loader is designed for use with free flowing powders. It therefore is not suitable for the volumetric weighing of primer mixes, which are not free flowing. It should be further understood that while the present invention has been described in connection with its primary function, the dispensing of free flowing explosive, it has the general utility for the dispensing of all free flowing powders.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the fore going specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Dispensing apparatus comprising a feed duct and a dispensing duct, said dispensing duct being in open communication with said feed duct for receiving material to thereafter be dispensed from said dispensing duct, said dispensing duct being open at one end and being provided with closure means at the other end, said feed duct communicating with said dispensing duct intermediate the ends of said dispensing duct, said feed duct and said dispensing duct being in fixed relative disposition, means for inverting said dispensing duct in the absence of frictional contact between said feed duct and said dispensing duct to dispense material from the open end of said dispensing duct, said closure means including a rod positioned in said dispensing duct between the closed end of said dispensing duct and said intermediate position of open communication, and means for adjustably positioning said rod including thread means in threaded engagement with said rod, a ratchet wheel for rotating said rod, and reciprocal pawl means for engaging said ratchet wheel to selectively rotate said rod in threaded engagement with said thread means.

2. Dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pawl means includes a first pawl positioned to rotate said ratchet wheel in one direction and a second pawl positioned to rotate said ratchet Wheel in the opposite direction, and piston means for selectively reciprocating each of said pawls.

3. Dispensing apparatus comprising a feed duct and a dispensing duct, said dispensing duct being in open communication with said feed duct for receiving material to thereafter be dispensed from said dispensing duct, said dispensing duct being open at one end and being provided with closure means at the other end, said feed duct communicating with said dispensing duct intermediate the ends of said dispensing duct, means for inverting said dispensing duct in the absence of frictional contact between said feed duct and said dispensing duct to dispense material from the open end of'said dispensing duct, the axis of said feed duct remaining stationary during inverting of said dispensing duct by said inverting means, said feed duct having an opening spaced from the point of communication with said dispensing duct, closure means for said spaced opening, said spaced opening being positioned on said feed duct at a osition whereby opening said feed duct closure means will enable the dispensing apparatus to be emptied.

4. Dispensing apparatus comprising a feed duct, a delivery duct and a dispensing duct, one end of said delivery duct being in open communication with said feed duct for receiving from said feed duct material to be dispensed, the opposite end of said delivery duct being in open communication with said dispensing duct at a position intermediate to the ends of said dispensing duct, closure means adjacent one end of said dispensing duct, the longitudinal axis of said dispensing duct being at an angle with the horizontal, and means for reciprocably inverting said dispensing duct to dispense material through the open end thereof, said closure means including a rod positioned in said dispensing duct between the closed end of said dispensing duct and said intermediate position of open communication, and means for adjustably positioning said rod in said dispensing duct, said means for adjustably positioning said rod including thread means in threaded engagement with said rod, a ratchet wheel rotating said rod, and reciprocable pawl means for engaging said ratchet wheel to selectively rotate said rod in threaded engagement with said thread means.

5. Dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said pawl means includes a first pawl positioned to rotate said ratchet wheel in one direction and a second pawl positioned to rotate said ratchet wheel in the opposite direction, and piston means for selectively reciprocating each of said pawls.

6. Dispensing apparatus comprising a feed duct, a delivery duct and a dispensing duct, one end of said delivery duct being in open communication with said feed duct for receiving material to thereafter be dispensed from said dispensing duct, the other end of said delivery duct communicating with said dispensing duct intermediate the ends thereof, said dispensing duct being open at one end and being provided with closure means at the other end, means for inverting said dispensing duct in the absence of frictional contact between said feed duct and said dispensing duct to dispense material from the open end of said dispensing duct, the axis of said feed duct being coaxial with said inverting means in order to minimize agitation of the material within said feed duct.

7. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said inverting means is adapted to rotate said feed duct, and a material storage means communicating with said feed duct throughout all rotative positions of said feed duct.

8. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said material storage means comprises an open topped member, a receptacle secured to said dispensing apparatus, wherein said dispensing duct is adapted to dispense material into said receptacle.

9. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein material exits from said dispensing duct at a location gen erally along the projection of the axis of said feed duct to thus permit accurate positioning of a receptacle which is to receive material to be dispensed.

10. Dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said feed duct is provided with an opening spaced from the point of communication of said feed duct with said dispensing duct, closure means for said spaced opening, said spaced opening being positioned above said feed 10 duct in the non-inverted position of said dispensing duct whereby inverting said dispensing duct and opening said closure enables said dispensing apparatus to be emptied.

References Cited 3,090,524- 5/1963 Corcoran 22.2-306 X 8 3,135,434 6/1964 Mittelsteadt 222306 3,145,883 8/1964 Geroux 222306 3,311,272 3/1967 Westbrook 222363 X 2,952,392 I 9/1960 Matter 222--546 X 3,140,693 7/1964 Kauzner 222454 X 3,179,311 4/1965 McCarty 222455 X FOREIGN PATENTS 445,482 4/1936 Great Britain.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner.

a US. Cl. X.R. 1 

